The Government is making a start on rolling out its free mental healthcare package by signing contracts that will ensure 170,000 New Zealanders continue to receive mental health support at their local medical centre and is kicking off the process to deliver front line services in new areas by the start of 2020.

Budget 2019 delivers on many of the recommendations contained in the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, He Ara Oranga. The Inquiry revealed that a new approach to mental health and addiction is needed in New Zealand which the Government is starting to deliver.

Breaking the cycle of family and sexual violence and better supporting survivors is a major feature of the Wellbeing Budget, with the Government delivering the largest ever investment in family and sexual violence and support services.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Health Minister Dr David Clark say provisional data on suicides for the 2017/18 year is sobering and underlines just how much work we have to do to improve our mental health and wellbeing.

A new purpose-built mental health facility will mean a better environment, better care and an improved quality of life for a group of extremely vulnerable New Zealanders, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says.